Fred Blackstein, long time staunch supporter of everything Pembroke including the city’s waterfront development has resigned following comments made by Pembroke City Councilor Ian Kuehl at a recent City Council Meeting.
Volunteers are pushing back after comments made by Kuehl at a May 20 Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. While discussing damage to the Pembroke waterfront from an April 29 storm, Kuehl criticized the volunteer-built boardwalk, calling it “never done right” and saying, “we can’t half-ass things this important.” He later emphasized the need for stronger construction and shoreline erosion control.
Blackstein informed Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais of his resignation from volunteer work connected to city council, including waterfront initiatives. Blackstein, also a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal honouree, has led major projects for over 30 years, which has included a wide array of city wide initiatives.
In an article published in the Pembroke Observer, Kuehl issued an apology to Blackstein and the volunteers stating in part that:
“...I certainly in no way meant to slight the volunteers that keep this community together. I am more than well aware that small cities like us are built on the backs of volunteers. They have to be. We don’t have the resources of the big cities and we never will. The comments that I made, which, trust me, nobody’s more sorry about them than I am at this point, were simply made because we were looking at things logistically…”
Following the comments, Deputy Mayor Brian Abdallah expressed gratitude to all city volunteers, specifically naming Fred Blackstein, and publicly urged him to reconsider his resignation. At the suggestion of committee chair Coun. Ed Jacyno, Abdallah introduced a motion for council to formally request Blackstein stay on. The motion, seconded by Coun. Troy Purcell, passed unanimously.
Blackstein has declined further comment saying, quote: “Unfortunately, this matter is trending towards legal territory, with the City’s Integrity Commissioner and possibly, a personal legal challenge.”
(Written By:Richard Evans)